Identification of resin degradation product

Strongly basic quaternary ammonium type anion exchangers employed for the purification of plutonium undergo thermal, radiolytic and chemical degradations to the delinking of quaternay ammonium type groups which form precipitates with tetravalent metal ions like Pu4+, Th4+, etc. A detailed investigation was carried out to understand the formation of the precipitates and their characteristics. Anion exchanger Dowex-1x4 was thermally degraded with 7-8 M HNO3 at about 80degC and the precipitate formed by the leach solution with thorium was subjected to analytical investigations. Based on the analytical data and other evidences a probable formula is assigned to the compound. (author). 9 refs., 2 tabs., 4 fi gs